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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Autumn on Cape Cod: A Transitional POV

Some people look at the coming of the Fall season and ooh and ahh over the foliage, brisk temperatures and the scent of wood burning from chimneys. I just want to let you know that it is 239 days until Summer! Perspective is everything! I don’t like this, not at all. It is dark in the morning and dark before dinner. It will only get worse before it gets better. I admit it, I get grumpy-- or as my family and co-workers inform me, I get grumpier at this time of year. So, knowing this about myself, I try and temper my annoyance with nature. After all, I live in New England, not Florida. This is what I should expect. But change is still hard.

I would like all of us to remember that transitions can be difficult for our students and individuals. Transitions, big ones and small ones can throw off your mood or your whole day. Less daylight can be a big issue for kids getting up in the morning. Wearing different clothing may be uncomfortable to someone with sensory challenges. Remembering to wear a hat or jacket; this might take many patient reminders on the caregivier’s part or be helped by visual reminders placed on doors.

School to home, awake to bedtime, warm days to cold-- transitions are everywhere. Remember, what may be easy for you to adjust to may be difficult for a person with developmental challenges. Putting away my flip flops for shoes, I cry with despair…